Today, I took part in a running event called the Charnwood AC Open Meeting. It was held at Loughborough University, which is known for its amazing sports facilities. I was really looking forward to the race, especially as it was taking place in the evening at 6:50pm, after a full day at school. I had been thinking about it all day, and I couldn’t wait to get on the track and give it my best. As soon as school finished, my dad picked me up, and along with my brother, we started our drive to Loughborough. It took about two hours to get there, so we had lots of time to talk about the race and get excited.
I was entered into a 600 metre race, which is one of my favourite distances. What made it even more exciting was that my brother was running in the same race as me. I had a goal in mind – I really wanted to beat my personal best time, which I had set on 3rd May. That time was 2 minutes and 4 seconds, and I had been training hard ever since. I had heard so many great things about Loughborough University and their sports programmes, so I was also keen to see the place for myself. I think I’d love to study there one day because of all the brilliant sports facilities.
When we arrived at the stadium, I was amazed by how big and modern it looked. The running track was smooth and bright, and there were digital boards all around it showing the runners’ times. It felt very professional and made me even more excited to race. I did a light warm-up and tried to stay focused. Being in the same race as my brother also helped, as we could encourage each other before the start.
The race began and I got off to a good start. I felt strong and kept pushing myself throughout the race. I really gave it everything I had, especially in the last 200 metres. My legs were getting tired, but I stayed focused and tried to stay ahead of the others. When I crossed the finish line, I looked up at the clock and saw my time – 2 minutes and 5 seconds. I was just one second off my personal best. I felt a little bit disappointed because I had really wanted to beat it, but at the same time, I was happy with how I ran.
Even though I didn’t break my personal best, I was proud of my effort. My time was very close and it showed that I’m running much better than I was last season. It’s also good to know I’m getting more consistent with my races. I enjoyed the whole experience – the journey, the new place, the excitement of the stadium, and racing with my brother. It was a great evening and I learned a lot from it.
Overall, it was a brilliant day and I’m already looking forward to the next race. I really want to go back to Loughborough again and try to beat my time. With a bit more training and focus, I’m sure I can do it. Racing at a place like that has made me even more excited about the future and my love for athletics.
